This Week's Contest: In the spirit of the story on page one of this
section, come up with a hoax or prank that begins with any of the above
scenarios. One hundred words, maximum. First-prize winner gets a fabulous
handmade wooden Uncle Sam birdhouse, a $30 value.

Runners-up receive, as always, the coveted Style Invitational Loser's
T-shirt. Honorable Mentions get the mildly sought-after Style Invitational
bumper sticker. Winners will be selected on the basis of humor and
originality. Mail your entries to The Style
Invitational, Week 189, c/o The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071,
fax them to 202-334-4312 or submit them via the Internet to this address:
losers@access.digex.net. Internet users: Please indicate the week number
in the "subject" field. Entries must be received on or before Monday, Nov.
4. Please include your address and phone number. Winners will be announced
in three weeks. Editors reserve the right to alter entries for taste,
humor or appropriateness. No purchase necessary. The Faerie of the Fine
Print & the Ear No One Reads wishes to thank Robert Howard of
Arlington for today's Ear No One Reads. Employees of The Washington Post and their immediate families are not eligible
for prizes.

Report from Week 186,

in which you were asked to supply explanations for any of four
cartoons. Best answer that proved too popular to reward with a prize:
Cartoon A, Al Gore campaigning in Iowa.